Laura B. Williamson, president of LongHorn Steakhouse, a division of Darden Restaurants Inc., executed a stock sale on July 31, selling 1,553 shares of common stock through an SEC Form 4 filing. The transaction involved 1,110 shares sold directly and 443 shares sold through indirect entities at a weighted average price of $204.48 per share, generating approximately $317,557 in proceeds.
Following the sale, Williamson maintained substantial equity stakes in the company. She continued to hold 10,754 shares directly, valued at approximately $2.2 million based on the August 3 market close of $206.24 per share. Her indirect holdings totaled 6,471 shares, including 5,535 shares held by her spouse and 936 shares held through a 401(k) plan. The stock price moved higher after her transaction, closing at $206.24 by August 3, representing approximately 1% above the execution price.
Darden Restaurants operates a diversified portfolio of full-service restaurant brands across North America, including Olive Garden, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchens, Yard House, Capital Grille, and Seasons 52. The company generated $13.2 billion in trailing twelve-month revenue and maintained a market capitalization of $23.6 billion as of the reporting period. The company operates approximately 2,200 company-managed locations.
Williamson’s sale occurred despite LongHorn Steakhouse’s notable operational performance in the most recent quarter. The brand reported 9.5% comparable sales growth, substantially outpacing the company’s flagship Olive Garden brand. However, the brand’s strong sales growth has coincided with elevated beef costs that have pressured profit margins. Despite these cost headwinds, company leadership characterized the quarter as part of an excellent year, marking the first time Darden crossed $13 billion in annual sales.
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